Your Willie did have an impressivly long life, and is the longest lived Beagle I've heard of, but maybe your vet wasn't pulling your leg. Our little poodle Misty (she was a toy mini--one parent of each size) died 2 years ago at the age of 20. She was our little energizer bunny dog and was actually pretty healthy for her age. Physically,anyway.She probably would have lived longer, but sadly, she died when she took a wrong turn one day looking for her food dish, and fell down the basement stairs.

__________________
&quot;Dog ownership is like a rainbow. Puppies are the joy at one end. Old dogs are the treasure at the other.&quot;

I was at my Vet's office awhile back to pick up a Rx. As I paying for it, out of the corner of my eye, I see a little angel of a Beagle leaving the treatment room. Melt does not even begin to describe my decent to visit with her. She completely stole my heart. She was 20!!! Those of you with Seniors know what I am talking about. She was frosted all over but still had the original, but muted colors. I really wish I had my camera phone with me that day.

Quote:Originally posted by Genie: She probably would have lived longer, but sadly, she died when she took a wrong turn one day looking for her food dish, and fell down the basement stairs.

That's awful

Yes. Ironically, I had just that day decided that I would call our vet and make plans to help Misty to the Bridge. Physically she was still in pretty good shape. But she was blind, deaf, incontinent, and so senile that she didn't know any of us. She was still interested in eating, but really had no quality of life, and the Misty we knew had disappeared. Still though, I wouldn't have had her die that way for anything; I just hope and pray she didn't suffer.

__________________
&quot;Dog ownership is like a rainbow. Puppies are the joy at one end. Old dogs are the treasure at the other.&quot;

My Curly Dog was a Norwegian Elkhound who was born in 1949 and came to live with me (Iíve always had rescues) in 1954 when I in the 2nd grade . Curly went to the Bridge in 1970. I recall reading somewhere that the record for the oldest dog was a beagle who lived to be maybe human 27 years. I think a Google search is in order (Iím at work or Iíd do it now) to verify but perhaps, your vet is correct!

I just googled it and found out that the 2004 Guinness Book of Records states that in Virginia there was a 27 year old Beagle named Butch.
My brother-in-law has all the Guinness books, I should ask him to check it out.

I don't know about the oldest, but several years ago there was a story in the Atlanta Journal/Constitution about a 20-year old beagle who'd been adopted by a couple in Chattanooga. I have no idea how long he lived after the adoption.

Good luck!!! I have a little foster girl right now and I am astounded by what she can get into and the manner in which she does it. I have to watch her like a hawk. She jumped and pulled a small bag with and "to be given later" treat that I had put up by the kitchen sink. I have no idea how she did it. Time to set up the video camera, send it to one of those video shows and fund your retirement fund.